Leucospermum conocarpodendron subsp. viridum

Leucospermum conocarpodendron subspecies viridum, the green tree pincushion or in Afrikaans kreupelhout (brushwood), is a shrub or small tree, the largest member of the Leucospermum, the pincushion genus. It reaches heights around 5 m and spreads to about 6 m wide (SA Tree List No. 84.1).

There is a second subspecies, viz. L. conocarpodendron subsp. conocarpodendron or the grey tree pincushion that grows on Cape Peninsula mountain slopes to the west of the distribution area of the green tree pincushion. The two subspecies do not naturally grow in the same area, but they do hybridize, which is exacerbated by the gardeners habit of planting the one in the others domain.

Varied flowerhead developmental stages are shown on the plant in picture, as well as in the glandular teeth which vary in number from 3 to 10 at the leaf tips.

The subspecies distribution is on the eastern slopes of the Cape Peninsula mountains and further eastwards on several mountain ranges to Franschhoek and as far as Stanford.

The habitat is rocky sandstone fynbos and renosterveld slopes and flats. The habitat population of the subspecies is considered vulnerable early in the twenty first century, due to urbanisation and agriculture (Manning, 2009; iNaturalist; www.plantzafrica.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).